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PUTRAJAYA: The government has approved an allocation of RM130 million to assist 260,000 smallholders affected by the fall in rubber price.

Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said with the allocation, a one-off payment of RM500 would be made to each of the eligible rubber smallholders.

“This measure is aimed at helping to lessen their burden as their income has been affected by the drop in rubber price,” he told reporters, here, yesterday.

He said it also showed that the government paid serious attention to the problem of falling rubber price which affected the livelihoods of smallholders, especially those with a small plot and depended on rubber as their main source of income.

Shafie said the RM500 aid would be credited into the smallholders’ accounts starting the middle of this month and they would be informed about this via a letter.

“The criteria for eligibility are that they must be Malaysian citizens, must own rubber land of 2.5 hectares or below and must be registered with Risda.

“Those eligible to receive the aid but not in the list, can go to the nearest Risda office and bring along their identity card,” he said.

Last year, RM127.336 million was allocated for the same purpose in which 254,672 eligible rubber smallholders benefited from the aid. — Bernama

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